Mounting for optical device

ABSTRACT

Mounting for an optical device to be precisely adjusted on a fixed frame, such as an optical needle-checking device in circular knitting machines comprising a spherical joint which permits movement in all directions as well as distance adjustment and rotation around the axis of the optical device, said joint having a ball connected with the optical device which is mounted lockably and unlockably on a fixed support.

United States Patent 1191 Sick [ Dec. 17, 1974 MOUNTING FOR'OPTICAL DEVICE [75] Inventor: Erwin Sick, Stifterweg Icking,

Germany [73] Assignee: Erwin Sick Optik-Elektronik,

Waldkirch, Germany 22 Filed: 'July 16, 1973 21 Appl.No.:379,207'

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 28, 1972 Germanynx, 2242266 52 us. c1 248/276, 248/316 R, 403/137 51 1111. C1 Fl6c 11/06, 1 1 27/00 [58] Field of Search 248/316, 276, 278, 181, v248/179, 178; 350/257, 255; 403/132, 137,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 260,473 Gardam 248/181 x Green 1. 403/137 1,375,905 4/1921 1,963,927 6/1934 Twyman 403/137 X 2,464,500 3/1949 Graham 248/181 2,912,838 11/1959 403/142 X 3,731,957 5/1973 Uchida 403/130 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 838,752 3/1939 France 403/142 15,742 0/1905 Great Britain 248/181 Primary Exa minerJ. Franklin Foss 57 ABSTRACT Mounting for an optical device to be precisely adjusted on a fixed frame, such as an optical needlechecking device in circular knitting machines comprising a spherical joint which permits movement in all directions as well as distance adjustment and rotation around the axis of the optical device, said joint having a ball connected with the optical device which is mounted lockably and unlockably on a fixed support.

5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures 1 MOUNTING FOR OPTICAL DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For trouble-free operation of .optical apparatus and more specifically of a needle-checking device in circular knitting machines it is necessary to mount the optical device on a support (for example, a circular knitting machine) at a suitable angle and distance from the object aimed at (for example, the needle-head). Mounting is difficult because generally there is little available space, and attaching the mounting on the machine must be relative to the respective machine type,in various different places and arrangements. Also, a sensitive adjustment of the needle-checking device must be possible; and once adjustment has been made on a given setting, the setting must not be changed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention consists in providing an attachment of the above-named type in which, after precise adjustment has been achieved, the

setting can be relied upon without having to fear a displacement from the optimal adjustment as determined.

lead to a displacement of the determined adjustment.

A preferred embodiment provides that the support is a hardened ball-socket which supports the ball in a circular ring, in which two diametrically opposite portions of the circular ring (being diametrically opposite with respect to the center of the ball) have an angular distance of about 90. From the side opposite the support a pressure plate (formed of a material substantially softer than the support itself) presses against the ball.

may be fixed to the frame. The ball is most advantageously rigidly connected with a clamp which surrounds a tube coaxial to the device. Theclamp most effectively exhibits a massive base connected with the ball and a bracket-like part which by means of a screw (clamping the tube) may be braced against the massive base. Also, this arrangement contributes to the impossibility of displacement during locking, once adjustment has been achieved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The present invention will be described by the example illustrated in the following drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a mounting in accordance with the present invention, by means of which a needle-checking device is mounted on a schematically indicated circular knitting machine; and

FIG. 2 is a section along line lI-'II of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT schematically indicated needle-checking device 1 has a tube 2 which has the optical focusing lenses, said tube being arranged in a split clamp 3 provided with a massive base 18 and a'bracket-like part 19. By means of a clamping screw 5, the clamp may be clamped against tube 2 in such a way that this is held without rotational or axial displacement.

When clamping screw 5 is loosened, needle-checker 1 may be moved back and forth as desired in the direction of arrow 4. In this manner, distance 14 between the end of the tube 2 and the schematically indicated needle-heads 20 may be adjusted with precision. Furthermore, needle-checking device 1 may be turned to- I gether with tube 2 in the direction of arrow 15 in FIG.

The pressure plate is most advantageously made of plastic. In accordance with the present invention, said pressure plate presses centrally on the ball in such a way that despite the greater friction between plastic and metal ball because of the centralized pressure, the friction between pressure plate and ball is less than that between ball and socket. In this manner, not only is it possible to avoid turning of the ball upon locking the pressure plate or loosening the setscrew during adjustment or locking (through movement of the ball on the axis of the setscrew), but compression can occur only on the pressure plate side and not on the adjustment side of the adjustment-providing support.

An especially desirable practical embodiment provides that the pressure plate and the support are arranged at opposite sides of a U-shaped housing which 2, and in this manner the oblong light spot projected from the device onto needle-heads 20 may be aligned with precision on the longitudinal direction of the needles.

which is provided with a hardened ball 16. In accordance'with the present invention, ball- 16 is produced by machining, so that it has an exactly spherical shape. On one side, ball 16 rests in a socket 10 which is formed by'a circular ring-shaped support 17 with an aperture angle of about relative to the center of the ball. Socket 10 is secured (for example through hardsoldering) to one inside end of a U-shaped housing 11. Said housing is made large enough so that ball 16 may be readily moved in all directions inside of it.

Housing- 11 is connected with the supporting circular knitting machine by means of 'a steel bar 12 which is at one end secured to housing 11 and at the other to segment 13 of the circular knitting machine. Advantageously, there is provided on three sides of housing l1 mounting-holes, so as to permit multisided set-screwing for a variety of different types of machine.

A plastic pressure plate 8 is provided at the end of housing 11, lying against socket l0. Said pressure plate The operation of the above-described mounting is as follows:

Once the mounting has been secured to the circular knitting machine, both clamping screws are slightly tightened in such a way that the mobility of all parts remains assured. Then, in accordance with the present invention, the adjustment angle relative to the needlehead is adjusted at about 30. Finally, adjustment of distance 14 and of the light spot on needle-heads 20 is achieved by turning in the direction of arrow 15. As soon as optimal adjustment has been performed, both clamping screws (first screw 7, then screw are completely tightened. Then, because of the inventive improvement, there will be no further displacement of the desired adjustment.

While the above described embodiment constitutes the presently preferred mode of practicing the invention, other embodiments or equivalents are within-the scope of the actual invention, which is claimed as:

1. Mounting for an optical device to be precisely adjusted on a fixed frame, in particularvfor an optical needle-checking device in circular knitting machines, comprising a spherical joint permitting movement in all directions as well as distance adjustment and rotation around the axis of said optical device, said joint having a ball connected with said optical device which is lockably and unlockably mounted on a fixed support having a hard socket supporting said ball on a circular ring comprised of two parts diametrically opposite with respect to the center of the ball having an angular distance of approximately and there being provided a pressure plate which is substantially softer than said support pressing against said ball from the side opposite the support. 4

2. Mounting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pressure plate consists of plastic material.

3. Mounting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pressure plate and said support are arranged at opposite sides of a U-shaped housing which is fixedly mountable on a frame.

4. Mounting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said ball is rigidly connected with a clamp which surrounds a tube coaxial with said device.

5. Mounting in accordance with claim 4, wherein said clamp has a massive base and a bracket-like part connected with said ball, said bracket-like part being clamped against said massive base by means of a clamping screw to rigidly clamp said tube. 

1. Mounting for an optical device to be precisely adjusted on a fixed frame, in particular for an optical needle-checking device in circular knitting machines, comprising a spherical joint permitting movement in all directions as well as distance adjustment and rotation around the axis of said optical device, said joint having a ball connected with said optical device which is lockably and unlockably mounted on a fixed support having a hard socket supporting said ball on a circular ring comprised of two parts diametrically opposite with respect to the center of the ball having an angular distance of approximately 90*, and there being provided a pressure plate which is substantially softer than said support pressing against said ball from the side opposite the support.
 2. Mounting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pressure plate consists of plastic material.
 3. Mounting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said pressure plate and said support are arranged at opposite sides of a U-shaped housing which is fixedly mountable on a frame.
 4. Mounting in accordance with claim 1, wherein said ball is rigidly connected with a clamp which surrounds a tube coaxial with said device.
 5. Mounting in accordance with claim 4, wherein said clamp has a massive base and a bracket-like part connected with said ball, said bracket-like part being clamped against said massive base by means of a clamping screw to rigidly clamp said tube. 